Applying eyeshadow can seem like a difficult step while putting on makeup. After all, there are numerous types of colors, not to mention brushes. Fortunately, even if you're just starting out with make-up, choosing and applying eyeshadow can be easy. Try creating a natural eye makeup for everyday life or a lunch with friends. If you want to create a more intense look for a night out, opt for a simple smokey eye makeup that you can create in minutes!
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Create a Natural Eye Makeup with Eyeshadows
Step 1. Choose a neutral color and a darker tone
To create a simple and natural eye make-up you will only need two eyeshadows: one similar to your complexion to make the base and one a few shades darker. While you can choose any color you like, a neutral shade that enhances your complexion will look more natural than any other color.
- If you have fair skin, use a basic eyeshadow that is only a few shades darker than your complexion. If you have dark skin, opt for a color that is a little lighter than your complexion to make sure it stands out.
- For example, if you have light skin, you could choose a champagne or light beige color to create the base and a light brown or taupe for the second eyeshadow. If you have a dark complexion, then choose a caramel eyeshadow to create the base and accentuate the makeup with a dark copper eyeshadow.
Step 2. Lightly dip the brush into the base color
Hold the eyeshadow brush between the thumb, forefinger and middle finger of your dominant hand, then gently swipe the tips of the bristles into the base color to pick up some pigment. It's best to start with a small amount of product and layer it gradually, so don't press the brush too hard on the eyeshadow.
- Most eyeshadow palettes come with a sponge tipped applicator. Alternatively, you can use an eyeshadow brush with bristles if you have one available. Being a simple makeup, you will get a similar result regardless of the type of brush used.
- If you don't have a brush, use a cotton swab or sponge applicator instead.
Step 3. Remove excess dust by tapping the brush
Sometimes a few small specks of eyeshadow can get trapped on the brush surface. This can lead to uneven application. To avoid this, gently tap the side of the brush on the eyeshadow palette, work surface or even the back of your hand.
This procedure should be performed using either a sponge applicator or a bristle brush
Step 4. Apply the base color to the entire mobile lid
Spread the product along the mobile eyelid by moving the brush from right to left and vice versa. Start at the lash line and blend the eyeshadow up to the browbone. If necessary, brush a small amount of extra product with the brush to make sure you get an even color, but try to concentrate the application along the lashline. Blend upwards with the brush, continuing to move it from right to left and vice versa, until you reach just below the browbone.
The color should fade slightly as you get closer to the crease of your eye. This will create a foundation for the rest of the makeup
Step 5. Dip the brush into the darker eyeshadow and tap it to remove excess
After applying the base color, pass the bristles of the brush over the darker eyeshadow. Since dark products tend to be more noticeable than base products, try to take a very small amount of eyeshadow.
A large eyeshadow brush will work fine to apply the first product. To apply the second eyeshadow, which has the function of accentuating the makeup with a more decisive color detail, you can instead switch to a smaller brush
Step 6. Apply the dark eyeshadow in the crease between the browbone and the eyelid
Using the brush, draw a sort of half moon that starts from the outer corner of the eye and covers about ¾ the crease of the eyelid. However, avoid applying dark eyeshadow to the inner corner of the eye, or you will make it smaller.
Keep moving the brush from right to left and vice versa to blend the color. Alternatively, if you prefer, run your fingers over this area several times. Don't leave any sharp lines where you finish applying eyeshadow
Advise:
if you have drooping eyelids, try to apply the darker eyeshadow just beyond the crease of the eye, in order to optically enlarge the surface of the mobile eyelid.
Step 7. Repeat the process on the other eye
It is better to focus on one eye at a time, rather than switching from one to the other. When it comes to applying your second eye, try to make sure that the final result is as similar as possible to that of the first one. Compare them at the end of the process to make sure they are the same and make any changes you think are necessary.
- To make sure you get the same color on both eyes, remove all product residue from the brush. You can do this by wiping it on a paper towel or on the back of your hand.
- If the result is not the same for both eyes, remove excess product from the eyelid that has the most using a finger, a brush or a cotton swab. This will allow you to obtain a more natural result and it is therefore preferable to remedy in this way rather than applying larger quantities of the product on the eye that has less.
Step 8. Complete the makeup with a swipe of mascara to define the lashes
Eyeshadows can stick to lashes, making them lighter than they actually are. To remedy this problem, apply a coat of mascara. Clean the side of the brush by rubbing it on the edge of the tube to remove excess product. Place the brush at the base of the lashes and apply the mascara in a gentle zig-zag motion. Finish applying it by passing the brush over the entire length of the lashes, until you reach the tips.
- If you have light lashes, brown mascara will give you a more natural result. If they are dark, go for the black one.
- For an even more natural effect, use transparent mascara, which will define your lashes without coloring them.
Method 2 of 3: Try a Simple Smokey Eyes Makeup
Step 1. Apply dark eyeshadow to the movable lids
Take a special brush and apply a dark eyeshadow on the mobile lids from the lashes to the crease of the eye. Go for a dark eyeshadow that you can combine with a medium and light shade of the same color, such as a charcoal color with a medium gray and a silver or a dark brown eyeshadow with a medium brown and a beige.
Advise:
for a stronger contrast, use a medium-dark tone on the lid, such as a deep caramel or pewter. Then, use a darker tone, for example coffee or slate, in the crease of the eye.
Step 2. Apply medium color eyeshadow to the crease of the eye
Now, apply a medium color eyeshadow to the crease of the eye from the inner corner to the outer edge. This will begin to create an upward gradient effect.
Make sure to apply the second darker eyeshadow, such as gray or medium brown, in the crease of the eye
Step 3. Apply a light eyeshadow on the brow bone
The last color to use should be the lightest one. Apply it above the crease, up to the eyebrow.
Go for a slightly iridescent shade to brighten your eyes, like a champagne eyeshadow with brown undertones or a silver with gray undertones
Step 4. Use your finger or a brush to blend the eyeshadow up and out
Once you have a satisfactory result, gently pass your fingertips or a clean brush over the eyes to blend the product. Always blend upwards, overcoming the crease of the eye and going towards the outer corner, as this trick is used to obtain a lifting effect.
If you want, you can also blend the eyeshadow with a cotton swab
Step 5. Apply a light eyeshadow to the inner corner of the eye to brighten it
Although this step is not necessary, it will create a nice effect that will highlight the smokey makeup, not to mention that it will make the eyes bigger and brighter. Choose a light, slightly iridescent or bright color, such as champagne or bright white, to best illuminate your eyes.
- If you used a cold color to create the smokey, choose a cold eyeshadow to highlight and vice versa.
- If you want, you can also illuminate the area under the browbone.
Step 6. Line the movable eyelids with an eyeliner for a more intense result
Smokey eyes makeup can be worn with or without eyeliner, but choosing to use it will have a more intense result. Whether you have decided to use one in pencil or liquid, apply the product carefully by drawing a thin line along the upper lashline. Apply the eyeliner covering the lashline approximately 2/3 from the inner corner of the eye.
You can also draw a thin line with the main eyeshadow under the lashline to define the eyes
Step 7. Apply mascara to define lashes
Complete the smokey eyes with two coats of dark mascara. Clean the brush by rubbing it on the edge of the tube to remove excess product, then place it starting from the base of the lashes. Apply the mascara making a slight zig-zag movement on the lashes until it reaches the tips. Repeat the same procedure for the second pass.
- If you use regular mascara, do the second coat before the first dries. If you are using a water-resistant one, let it dry for a few minutes between strokes.
- By using a black mascara the lashes will be highlighted even more. However, if they are particularly light, you may want to opt for brown mascara instead.
Method 3 of 3: Choose the Right Eyeshadow
Step 1. In the beginning, prefer powder eyeshadows
Cream eyeshadows offer great coverage, but are more difficult to apply. If you are a beginner, look for powdered products instead.
Thankfully, powder eyeshadows are the most popular and you can find them at any makeup store
Step 2. Determine your skin tone and undertone before choosing an eyeshadow
The tone refers to the complexion and can be light or dark. Finding the undertone and therefore figuring out if you have a cold or warm complexion can be a little more difficult. By exposing yourself to natural light, observe the veins in your wrist. If they look blue or purple, chances are you have a cool undertone. If they look greenish, it's likely hot. If you can't tell, it's possible you have a neutral undertone.
- If you have a warm undertone, opt for warm colors like peach, caramel, golden and milk chocolate.
- Choose cooler tones like taupe, gray and dark chocolate if you have a cool undertone.
Step 3. Prefer a neutral color palette at first
Since there are so many options available, it's common to be tempted to get off to a flying start and play with bright, bold colors. However, if you still don't master a good technique, they will be difficult to manage and blend. Practice with neutral colors like cream, beige or chestnut and then experiment with bolder shades once you get started.
Advise:
when you feel ready to start experimenting with colors, look for options that enhance the iris. Opt for the following colors:
Shades of the copper he was born in fishing for the blue eyes;
Shades of the blue he was born in Viola for the Brown eyes;
Shades of the Viola he was born in raspberry for the green eyes.
Step 4. If you have fair skin, use light and bright colors to brighten your eyes
As you play with different looks, practice drawing attention to various parts of the eye so you know how to best enhance its shape. For example, applying iridescent white or cream eyeshadow to the center of the eye will draw attention to the iris, while illuminating the browbone will lift the eyes.
- Illuminating the inner corner of the eye will make it appear larger and open the gaze.
- Shades that contain iridescent specks (even minimal ones) are best for illuminating, as they reflect light.
- Avoid applying iridescent eyeshadows on areas that have wrinkles, otherwise you will accentuate them.
- Keep in mind that light and iridescent eyeshadows tend to create a more eye-catching effect on dark complexions.
Step 5. Define the eyes using colors that contrast with your complexion
If you have fair skin, use darker colors to outline the eye and achieve the desired shape. If you have a dark complexion, opt for light colors in order to define the eyes and create contrast. For example, if you have fair skin, defining the crease of the eye with a taupe or coffee eyeshadow will make your eyes more sensual.
Also, applying dark eyeshadow to the outer corner of the eye can help camouflage fine lines and expression lines
Advice
- Applying a thin layer of eye primer before applying eyeshadow will help you spread the product more evenly and make it last longer. This will also help prevent it from collecting in the pleats.
- Cover dark circles with a concealer if you want to wear dark makeup without weighing down your eyes.
